For nearly 70 years, Rolex has been a steadfast partner to sailing, upholding the pursuit of excellence alongside the sport’s custodians. With a vision that celebrates not just victory but the journey itself, Rolex shares with the sailing community a passion for the milestones and emotions that define success.

This commitment spans revered sailing events and the dynamic future of the sport, exemplified by the groundbreaking Rolex SailGP Championship and 2025 calendar. From grand prix racing to offshore endurance competitions, Rolex continues to honour the human ideal of achievement, while helping shape the sport’s future on and off the water.

The Rolex SailGP Championship is a sporting trailblazer, which showcases precision, innovation and exhilarating racing action, with a purpose driven philosophy. The 2025 Season, which began at the end of November 2024 in Dubai, is the biggest and boldest yet and sees the world’s leading athletes compete on identical F50 foiling catamarans in breathtaking venues. In January, the championship returned to New Zealand, where thousands of spectators gathered to witness the Australia SailGP Team’s triumph. From here, the 12 teams travelled to Sydney, Australia where excitement continued with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team claiming victory and cementing their position at the top of the leaderboard. Next, the teams will cross the Americas, with the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix taking place from 15–16 March and the championship’s debut event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in May. The series will then head to Europe for a spectacular summer of racing, before crowning this year’s champions in Abu Dhabi in November. As the recently announced Title Partner, Rolex supports SailGP’s dedication to elite performance, sustainability and equality, with inspiring individuals and team spirit at its heart.

The Rolex and sailing calendar continues with the Rolex TP52 World Championship, held in July in Cascais, Portugal, and a pinnacle event in grand prix monohull yacht racing. Leading sailors, including elite tacticians and strategists, compete head-to-head in a display of skill and accuracy. The level of competition is extraordinary, with every second on the water reflecting months of meticulous preparation and attention to detail. From optimizing the boat and gear to building a cohesive team, success in this championship is the culmination of relentless dedication. Over a week of intense inshore racing, the fleet of matched TP52 yachts battles for victory, where triumph is the ultimate reward for a journey defined by excellence.

Image: ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

In the same month, one of offshore sailing’s most renowned events, the Rolex Fastnet Race will mark 100 years since its foundation. Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, which also celebrates its centenary in 2025, this legendary 695-nautical mile race brings together professional offshore sailors alongside passionate and skilled Corinthian crews. Starting in Cowes, competitors embark on a demanding journey through frequently challenging conditions, rounding the iconic Fastnet Rock off the southern tip of Ireland before finishing in Cherbourg, France. This race is not merely a contest of speed but a true test of personal skill and determination, where each sailor and crew strive to achieve their ultimate goal and earn a place in the race’s storied history.

September brings the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, a partner of Rolex since 1984, and organized in conjunction with the international Maxi Association. This iconic event celebrates 40 years of Rolex’s support in 2025, blending tradition with innovation. With a stunning backdrop, captivating race courses and a fleet of exceptional yachts, the regatta exemplifies a unique mix of excellence, technology and sailing spirit.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, is an offshore challenge renowned for its breathtaking beauty and relentless demands. The hugely technical 606-nautical mile course, starting from the historic Grand Harbour in Malta’s capital, Valletta, winds around islands and volcanos. It is a tactical puzzle that tests strategic thinking, while the race’s unpredictable conditions – ranging from calm winds to ferocious storms – push sailors to their physical and mental limits. Offering participants a profound sense of achievement, the race embodies the essence of offshore sailing through a journey that is as rewarding as it is challenging.

The iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, in collaboration with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and starting on 26 December, is far more than just an offshore race; it is a cornerstone of Australian culture and a rite of passage for generations of sailors. For many, racing and finishing the 628-nautical mile journey from Sydney to Hobart is considered one of the greatest achievements in the sport. The experience transforms participants into true offshore sailors and earns them the respect of their peers. This legendary race is renowned for its gruelling conditions, fierce winds, towering seas, sleepless nights and the unpredictable force of nature.

While the Rolex SailGP Championship and five other marquee events highlight Rolex’s deep-rooted and authentic connection to the sport, its reach extends far beyond. The Rolex Circuito Atlántico Sur in January, unites South American sailing communities, exemplifying camaraderie and skill. The ninth edition of the biennial Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup in early September brings together international teams comprising Corinthian crews from the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs for a week of close-fought competition. Racing is on a level playing field with the yachts and sails supplied by the host. Later in the month, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez and the Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco celebrate the close of the inshore racing season in the Mediterranean and on the western seaboard of the United States. Off the water, Rolex continues to shape the future of sailing through its partnerships with World Sailing, the sport’s governing body, and the annual Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards in November, recognising sailors whose journeys inspire the next generation.

2025 ROLEX KEY SAILING EVENTS:

Rolex TP52 World Championship: 1–6 July; Cascais, Portugal

Rolex Fastnet Race: 26–31 July; Cowes, United Kingdom; Fastnet, Ireland and Cherbourg, France

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: 7–13 September; Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy

Rolex Middle Sea Race: 18–25 October; Valletta, Malta

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: 26–31 December; Sydney and Hobart, Australia

 

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